Accident Overview
On 6 September 2016 at 1645 UTC, a Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee, registration G-BDWY, sustained damage during a forced landing at Great Massingham Airfield, Norfolk. The aircraft, built in 1972, was powered by a single Lycoming O-320-E3D piston engine. The flight was conducted under private operation with only the pilot on board. The pilot, aged 51, held a Private Pilot’s Licence and had accumulated 92 total flying hours, of which 33 were on type.
Sequence of Events
The aircraft was landing on Runway 04 at Great Massingham. Weather conditions were fine, and the windsock indicated calm wind. The pilot reported encountering turbulence at approximately 50 ft, after which the aircraft touched down and bounced before full control could be regained. The pilot then initiated a go-around by selecting full throttle and reducing the flap setting to 10°. The aircraft climbed to about 100 ft but did not maintain the expected climb performance. With trees and a barn at the end of the runway, the pilot decided to perform a forced landing in a ploughed field to the left of the runway.
Aircraft Damage
The aircraft came to rest upright. The right undercarriage leg was detached, and the nose leg was buckled. Additional damage was noted to the left wing and engine controls. The pilot was uninjured.
Pilot Observations
After securing the aircraft, the pilot discovered that the throttle control was sticking and had limited movement. He considered that this issue may have been caused by the initial touchdown, which also reportedly punctured the nosewheel. The pilot believed that the throttle malfunction prevented the aircraft from climbing away successfully during the go-around.